Brandywine Maple Live Tree – 1-2ft Tall – 1qt Pot – Outdoor Ornamental Shade Tree

Overview

The Brandywine Maple live tree, scientifically known as Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’, is a distinguished cultivar of the native Red Maple highly prized for its exceptional fall color. This medium-sized deciduous tree is a spectacular choice for those seeking to add vibrant, long-lasting autumn hues to their landscape. Originating from Eastern North America, the Brandywine Maple live tree is celebrated for its consistent and brilliant deep wine-red to reddish-purple foliage that persists for weeks, often outperforming other maple varieties. It offers not just seasonal beauty but also provides excellent shade during warmer months, making it a functional and aesthetic addition to any garden or yard. Its robust nature and striking appearance make it a favorite among landscapers and homeowners alike, looking for a reliable ornamental shade tree.

As a Brandywine Maple live tree, this plant is a young specimen ready to establish itself in your garden. Its strong root system and healthy growth habit ensure a smooth transition to your outdoor space, promising years of beautiful displays. The Latin name, Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’, highlights its lineage as a cultivar of the popular Red Maple, specifically bred for its superior characteristics, including its remarkable fall color and strong growth.

Key Benefits

The Brandywine Maple live tree offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent investment for your landscape. Its unique characteristics contribute to both aesthetic appeal and environmental advantages:

• Stunning Fall Foliage: Enjoy an unparalleled display of deep wine-red to reddish-purple leaves that last for an extended period, creating a dramatic visual impact in your garden. This makes it a prime choice for those seeking vibrant fall foliage, ensuring your yard stands out every autumn.
• Excellent Shade Provider: As it matures, this tree develops a dense canopy, offering ample shade to cool your home and outdoor living spaces during hot summer months, potentially reducing energy costs.
• Adaptable Growth: The Acer rubrum Brandywine is known for its adaptability to various soil conditions and climates within its hardiness zones, making it a reliable choice for many regions across the United States.
• Medium-Sized Landscape Tree: With a mature height of 25-40 feet and a spread of 15-25 feet, it fits well into residential landscapes without overwhelming smaller yards, providing a balanced and attractive presence.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this maple cultivar requires minimal care, making it suitable for both experienced gardeners and those new to tree planting, reducing the burden of intensive upkeep.
• Wildlife Attraction: While primarily grown for its ornamental value, maple trees can provide habitat and some food for local wildlife, contributing to biodiversity and a lively ecosystem in your garden.
• Enhances Property Value: A well-placed, healthy ornamental shade tree like the Brandywine Maple can significantly increase the curb appeal and value of your property, making it a wise long-term investment.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Brandywine Maple live tree ensures its healthy growth and magnificent fall display. This tree thrives in specific conditions, but with proper attention, it is relatively easy to maintain. For optimal growth, plant your Brandywine Maple in full sun to partial shade. Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) will promote the most intense fall color. While it can tolerate some shade, too much shade may result in less vibrant foliage. The ideal planting time is in spring or fall, allowing the tree to establish its root system before extreme temperatures, which is crucial for successful establishment.

When it comes to soil, the Brandywine Maple live tree prefers moist, slightly acidic, and well-drained soil. Avoid excessively wet or poorly drained areas, as this can lead to root problems. Regular watering is crucial, especially during the first few years after planting and during dry spells. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established, it can tolerate short periods of drought but will perform best with consistent moisture. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, following package directions. Prune in late summer or early winter to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to maintain a desirable shape. This care regimen will help your Acer rubrum Brandywine flourish and display its best attributes, ensuring a long and healthy life for your maple tree care efforts.

Proper maple tree care also involves protecting young trees from pests and diseases. While relatively resistant, regular inspection for common issues can prevent major problems. Ensuring the tree receives adequate air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can also help mitigate fungal issues. With these simple tips, your Brandywine Maple will become a cherished part of your landscape.

Size & Details

This offering is for a Brandywine Maple live tree that stands approximately 1-2 feet tall upon arrival, measured from the soil line to the top of the plant. It is shipped in a 1-quart nursery pot, providing a well-established root system ready for transplanting. This young tree is an excellent starter size, allowing you to watch it grow and develop into a magnificent specimen. The Brandywine Maple is a medium-sized deciduous tree, typically reaching a mature height of 25-40 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet. Its growth rate is considered medium, meaning it will add about 1-2 feet of height per year under ideal conditions. It is native to Eastern North America and is best suited for USDA Zones 4–9. This tree is perfect for residential landscapes where an ornamental shade tree is desired, providing both aesthetic beauty and practical shade.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Brandywine Maple live tree get? A: This Brandywine Maple live tree is currently 1-2 feet tall and comes in a 1-quart pot. At maturity, it typically reaches a height of 25-40 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet, making it a medium-sized shade tree ideal for residential landscapes.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? How much sunlight does it need? A: The Brandywine Maple is an outdoor tree. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best growth and most intense vibrant fall foliage.
• Q: Is this tree easy to care for, and is it good for beginners? A: Yes, once established, the Brandywine Maple is relatively low-maintenance, making it a good choice for beginners. Consistent watering during establishment and proper planting are key to good maple tree care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in, and is it shipped in soil? A: Your tree will arrive as a live plant, carefully packaged in its 1-quart nursery pot with soil, ensuring its roots are protected during transit. It may enter dormancy in cooler months and arrive leafless, which is normal for deciduous trees.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a Brandywine Maple tree? A: The best times to plant your Acer rubrum Brandywine are in the spring or fall. This allows the tree to establish its root system during moderate temperatures before extreme heat or cold.
• Q: What USDA zones is this tree hardy in? A: The Brandywine Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the United States. This broad hardiness makes it a versatile choice for many gardeners.
• Q: What kind of soil does this ornamental shade tree prefer? A: This tree prefers moist, slightly acidic, and well-drained soil. It’s important to avoid areas with standing water or very heavy clay soil that drains poorly to prevent root issues.
• Q: Will this tree provide good shade? A: Absolutely! As it matures, the Brandywine Maple develops a dense and spreading canopy, providing excellent shade for your home and outdoor living areas, enhancing comfort during hot summers.
• Q: How long does the vibrant fall foliage last? A: One of the prime characteristics of the Brandywine Maple is its long-lasting fall color. You can expect the deep wine-red to reddish-purple foliage to persist for several weeks, often longer than other maple varieties.
• Q: What is the mature spread of the Brandywine Maple? A: The mature spread of a Brandywine Maple typically ranges from 15 to 25 feet, so ensure you provide adequate space when planting to allow for its full growth potential.